His son Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was a Nigerian military governor and the president of the secessionist state of Biafra.
Ojukwu started his professional career at the Agricultural department before leaving to join John Holt as a sales clerk.
At John Holt, he noticed the severe strain a lack of adequate transportation had on Eastern textile traders.
His success was also oiled by the economic boom after World War II, working with the West African Railway Company and the newly inaugurated produce boards, he provided his fleet for commodity transportation and for other traders use.
During the 1950s, he diversified his interest, bought some industries, invested heavily in the real estate sector and became a director in numerous major corporations including the state-owned Nigerian National Shipping Line.
He was a member of the board of Nigerian Coal Corporation, Shell Oil, D'Archy, and African Continental Bank.